Maxim Kuzminov, a Russian pilot known for his dramatic defection to Ukraine by commandeering his helicopter across the border, has been reported dead by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR). The announcement followed a statement from the Spanish Civil Guard in Alicante province, which disclosed that a man was fatally shot on February 13 in a parking garage of an apartment complex in Villajoyosa, a coastal resort town along the Mediterranean Sea.Â
A GUR source confirmed to CNN that the deceased found in Spain was indeed Kuzminov, though details surrounding his death remain undisclosed. The area where the shooting occurred is known to be a settlement for Russian and Ukrainian expatriates since the onset of the war, as per Villajoyosa city hall’s press office. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Russian Foreign Intelligence Director Sergey Naryshkin, when queried, denied any knowledge of the incident, with Naryshkin condemning Kuzminov as a “moral corpse” following his defection.
Ukraine’s GUR lauded Kuzminov as a “real warrior and honest man,” acknowledging his contributions and the fulfillment of promises made by Ukraine.
Kuzminov’s journey to began in August, following a covert operation by Kyiv to safely extract his family from Russia. Despite the risks, Kuzminov decided to defect, successfully navigating his Mi-8 helicopter into Ukrainian territory, unbeknownst to his Russian crewmates, who were killed during their attempted escape upon landing. His actions were driven by opposition to the war and a desire to avoid participation in what he described as the genocide of the Ukrainian people.
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